SCIENCE ON TAP: Bacteriophage and Us: Harnessing the Power of the Puppet Master

Tabb Sullivan

Wagner Free Institute of Science, Science on Tap

Monday, June 12, 2023 6:00 pm EDT

National Mechanics
22 South 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19106

Below the surface of our bacterial microbiome exists another, potentially more expansive biome. The bacteriophages that infect bacteria have the power to kill, transfer genes between, and provide selective advantage to bacteria within our microbiome. The number of bacteria in our gut is rivaled if not surpassed by the number of resident bacteriophages. Resident phages may hold the secret to success for healthy transplant to treat numerous gastrointestinal diseases where probiotics fail. This talk will explore the history of bacteriophages, what we currently know and what is being done to harness their power for treating challenging diseases. It will also explore what may be possible if we can manipulate the virome within.
 
About the Speaker:
Tabb Sullivan, PhD is a Principal Scientist at Integral Molecular, a Philadelphia-based biotech company. With expertise in microbiology and immunology, he has played a critical role in developing some of Integral Molecular's drug discovery platforms such as the Membrane Proteome Array (MPA) and SARS Reporter Virus Particles. Sullivan heads the R&D group of the MPA team, where he works to increase the quality and efficiency of the MPA platform. In addition to improving the MPA, the R&D group also uses the MPA to answer questions about basic biology that will form the foundation for therapeutics of the future.
 
About Science on Tap:
Science on Tap brings lively and engaging science programming to Philadelphia through a variety of different programs, typically a monthly gathering at National Mechanics in Old City or an online talk. Science on Tap is sponsored by a consortium of six Philadelphia institutions: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the American Philosophical Society, Science History Institute, the Wagner Free Institute of Science, Penn Museum, and the Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
 
Science On Tap is BACK IN PERSON at National Mechanics in Old City (22 S. 3rd St, Philadelphia)! 
 
Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not required for this event.
 
More information here.